It’s been one of those days. Your presentation at work didn’t go as hoped, traffic was terrible, it’s raining, your to-do list is 10 pages long, and someone ate the last of the leftover takeout you were planning on for dinner. All you want to do is crawl into bed with a blanket over your head and call it a day.

We all have days that feel overwhelming, hard, sad, or exhausting. Whether you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed, lonely, or homesick, the pure, gentle aroma of essential oils can help you reset, reflect, and spiritually rejuvenate. Here are a few of our favorite essential oils for when you’re down in the dumps.

Valor®: A hug for courage

It’s easy to identify the things we want to change about our lives, but it’s much harder to have the courage to actually take action. Fear of obstacles, embarrassment, and failure can leave us in a constant state of analysis paralysis. When you find yourself with a high-stakes day on the horizon, the aroma of Valor essential oil blend can help invite feelings of courage and strength.

Usage tip: Establish a daily practice of reciting self-affirmations in the mirror while inhaling this grounding blend to promote feelings of self-love and confidence.

Sacred Mountain™: A hug from Mother Nature

There’s nothing like spending time in nature to clear the mind and uplift the heart, but it’s not always easy to slip away from your busy day. This blend of Ylang Ylang and three different conifer essential oils evokes the sanctity of nature wherever you are—no hiking boots needed. Use it to promote feelings of strength, empowerment, grounding, and protection.

Usage tip: When you need a quick escape but can’t get away, rub 2–3 drops of this blend between your palms and inhale deeply.

Gathering™: A hug for connection

In such a fast-paced world, it can be easy to get lost in the chaos of everyday life and forget the important things. Essential oils are a great way to remind yourself of life’s little joys and reconnect back with nature and your true self. With Lavender, Northern Lights Black Spruce, and six other essential oils, Gathering essential oil blend is the perfect way to do just that.

Usage tip: Diffuse while spending quality time with friends or family to create scent memories that will transport you back to times of peace and joy during hard times.

Release™: A hug for liberation

As we go about our day, we pick up emotional baggage—a hurtful comment, a negative thought, a troubling news article—and after a while it can start to build up and weigh us down. It’s critical that we take time each day to unload and free ourselves. The balancing aroma of Release essential oil blend can help you let go of negativity and lighten your spirit.

Usage tip: During a difficult conversation with a family member or loved one, diffuse this blend to help you stay open-minded and positive.

Present Time™: A hug for gratitude

It’s easy to find yourself focusing so much on the regret of yesterday and the anticipation of tomorrow that you forget about the gift and beauty of today. Diffuse Present Time and practice mindful meditation to help yourself embrace and celebrate the present moment. Let its aroma remind you to slow down and notice life’s little joys—the mesmerizing beauty of raindrops streaming slowly down a windowpane, the sound of birds singing in the morning. There is beauty and wonder all around if you just take the time to look for it.

Usage tip: Diffuse this blend while tackling a mundane chore like laundry or dusting to help you stay mindful and grateful even during less-pleasant tasks.

Hope™: A hug for optimism

No matter how much we try to avoid it, everyone faces moments of hardship and heartbreak. During these difficult times, the most important thing is to never lose hope. No matter how thick the darkness gets, there is always a light ahead. Sometimes it’s faint, but it’s there. You just have to look for it. With this kind of understanding, you can overcome anything. Hope essential oil blend is here to gently support you on your journey, with comforting and calming essential oils such as Melissa, Juniper, and Myrrh.

Usage tip: Diffuse this blend during times of sadness to help restore your faith and find greater strength and stability.

What oils do you turn to when you’re in need of a spiritual pick-me-up?

This blog was reprinted with permission from the Young Living website.